Rumors for June, 2010
Mariano Rivera Rumors: 1 year contract okay?
Posted by: | CommentsJoel Sherman of The New York Post recently asked Yankees closer Mariano Rivera about his upcoming free agency and his expectations for his next contract are. Rivera said, “During the season it is hard to focus on the contract. During the season, I have to do what is right by the team.”
When asked if he would be okay going year-to-year and determine at the end of each season if he wants to continue to play, like teammate Andy Pettitte, Rivera responded, “Something like that would be fine.”
Sherman adds that Rivera has been pretty “rigid about wanting top-of-the-market money for multiple years.”
Johan Santana lobbying for Mets to acquire Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt?
Posted by: | CommentsDan Martin of the New York Post says the everybody is lobbying the New York Mets front office to get Seattle Mariners Cliff Lee or Houston Astros Roy Oswalt including the team’s top pitchers.
“What we’re looking for is a championship and when your getting a pitcher of that caliber, that’s what they do,” Johan Santana said. “[Getting one of them] to go along with what we have, it does nothing but make you better.”
“We want to win a flag,” closer Francisco Rodriguez said. “Of course if we got another front guy for the rotation and you’ve got [Mike] Pelfrey and Santana and the rest of the guys . . . another big name out there would change the whole club and atmosphere.”
“You’d definitely love to have those guys on your team,” Pelfrey said. “They’re elite. Obviously, they’re shopping him, and he’s obviously a difference-maker.”
Even though Mets would have qualified as the Wild Card team had the season ended yesterday, the team understands they could always use some help.
We know pitching wins championships,” Rodriguez said. “Another big name would do a lot of good for us. We’re gonna make a lot of people believe. We’ve still got a lot of stuff to prove after the disaster of last year.”
“We have enough as it is right now,” Santana said. “But there’s nothing wrong with improving what we have, if that’s the case. I don’t know what the front office is gonna do as the season progresses, but you want to gain ground and win as many games as possible.”
Larry Brooks of the New York Post adds that as long as the Mets keep on winning, the front office will make the effort to bolster the roster. The team hads a hard home stand this week as they host the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. If the Mets can convincingly had both of the teams then it may be enough to have management surrender prospects in trades for veterans who can contribute to a postseason run now.
Minnesota Twins sign D’Angelo Jimenez and assign him to Triple-A Rochester
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to the International League transaction page, the Minnesota Twins have signed utility infielder D’Angelo Jimenez and assigned him to the Rochester Red Wings, their Triple-A affiliate
Jimenez, 32, has not played in the Major Leagues since 2007 with the Washington Nationals. In addition to the Nationals, Jimenez has played for San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees since 1999. He has a career .263/.351/.377.
Bob Matthews of The Democrat and Chronicle says Jimenez was hitting well for Triple-A Yucatan of the Mexican League (.355, 9 HRs, 60 RBI in 77 games).
Lake Erie Crushers want to sign LaBron James to Minor League contract
Posted by: | CommentsThe Associated Press says the Lake Erie Crushers plan to offer LeBron James a Minor League contract worth $1,600 per month and a host family so he would not have the “stress of a potential commute” from Akron. The AP also says a luxury suite is available for James.
The Minor League Baseball promotion is titled “Keep LBJ in the C-L-E Night” and the Crushers’ players will wear Cavaliers-themed jerseys on June 30. All players will wear No. 6 to honor James number switch from No. 23. The park will also be temporarily renamed LeBron James Field at All Pro Freight Stadium. Anyone named LeBron gets free tickets.
The Crushers play in the independent Frontier League and were 2009 Champions.
Update – David DeJesus Rumors: Giants interested in Royals outfielder?
Posted by: | Comments6/21 19:28: Mychael Uban of CSNBayArea.com spoke with a high-ranking Giants officialy about the DeJesus rumor and this is what they said:
“A lot of guys will fit in [the] DeJesus category over the next month or so. Nothing happening [right now].”
Morosi says the Giants may have a hard time meeting the Royals’ price since DeJesus has an affordable $6 million club option for next year. The Royals also do have a pressing need to move the left-handed batter. DeJesus is hitting .328 and can play all three outfield positions.
DeJesus is enjoying his time in Kansas City and recently said he has no desire to leave. “I hope the Royals want to keep me,” DeJesus said. “I really do, because I’ve been here since (being drafted in) 2000. But I understand it’s a business, too.”
Thanks to King of Cali of SFGiantsBaseball.net for the tip.
Cincinnati Reds close to deal with Gary Matthews Jr.
Posted by: | CommentsJohn Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Reds are talking with free agent outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. about a Minor League deal. The deal is not done yet, and may take a few days to complete.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports earlier said Matthews and the Reds have already agreed to terms, but this is unlikely the case now that Fay said both sides were talking.
Matthews was designated for assignment earlier this month and then was officially released on June 15. The outfielder was hitting .190 in 58 at-bats this season.
The Mets acquired Matthews this past winter from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brian Stokes. The Angels also provided $21.5 million in cash to offset the contract of Matthews.
Rare Stephen Strasburg 2010 Bowman Card Autographed is $34,000+ on eBay
Posted by: | CommentsLast month, rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg had a 2010 Bowman Chrome Superfractor serial numbered 1/1 sell on eBay for $16,000+ (before he pitched his first Major League game). A friend mentioned this new auction for an even more rare Strasburg card – a 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg Red Border autographed 1/1. Check out the auction here.
This is a different card from last month, since that one was a refractor Superfractor and this is red border with an actual autograph and has a serial number of 1 out of 1. This auction ends on June 28, so you have some time to take out a second mortgage or cash out your child’s college fund.
How much money will Bryce Harper seek from the Washington Nationals?
Posted by: | CommentsJon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says number one overall pick Bryce harper will seek a record signing bonus. $12 million has been floated around baseball circles. Last year’s number one pick Stephen Strasburg signed for $15.067 million and that has turned into a bargain. Can Harper command more?
Heyman says there more uncertainty with Harper since he is only 17. Heyman adds,
There seems to be a smidgen more uncertainty here than there was with Strasburg since Harper is only 17, but one NL scout, referencing the scout’s scale that ranks players from 2-8 on various abilities, said, “You just don’t see a 17-year-old with 7 or 8 power.” In fact, there’s a lot of awe among scouts about Harper’s talents (the aforementioned power is almost off the charts his arm strength is said to be superb as well).
Seattle Mariners not ready to give up in AL West
Posted by: | CommentsMariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, “This division is not out of line yet. We’re back a long way. But all of a sudden, we (win) six of seven, we have [Cliff] Lee and Felix Hernandez, we get (Erik) Bedard and (Doug) Fister coming back. We have to see in the next couple weeks.”
Heyman says it’s a long shot to keep Lee past the deadline, especially since the Mariners are 13 games out of first in the AL West.
“People are calling,” Zduriencik said. “I have to listen. But I have to give us a chance.”
The Mariners could be interested in the the young catchers of the Twins (Wilson Ramos) and the Yankees (Austin Romine, Jesus Montero and Francisco Cervelli). Other possible landing spots for Lee include the Dodgers, Rangers, Twins, Angels and Mets.
Update – Fausto Carmona Rumors: Drawing interest from the New York Mets?
Posted by: | Comments6/21 13:03: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “The Mets like Fausto Carmona — but completing a deal for him would be very difficult, because the option years in his contract make him very, very valuable so long as he is pitching well — and right now, he is. To this point, there’s been no direct talks between the Mets and Indians about Carmona — only internal talks for the Mets.”
6/20 15:53: Buster Olney of ESPN says Cleveland Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona is showing interest to the New York Mets.
The pitcher has a 3.31 ERA and has improved command this season. However, Olney notes that Carmona is capable of veering completely off course and the pressures of New York could impact him.
Carmona may be a long-term liability that the Mets may not want. He’s owed the balance of $4.9 million this year and $6.1 million next year and he has a series of options through 2014. Olney notes that if the Mets sign Carmona and he has a good year, he would be a part of a strong pitching for the next few years.
